Aakash Chopra picks his Indian XI for IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test, suggests 2 changes if Shubman Gill isn't available

Former India player Aakash Chopra has picked his Indian XI for the second Test against South Africa. He highlighted that the hosts cannot afford to include a left-handed batter as Shubman Gill's replacement if the Indian captain is ruled out of the game.

The second Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to start in Guwahati on Saturday, November 22. Gill suffered severe neck spasms during India's 30-run loss in the first Test in Kolkata and is doubtful for the second Test.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener noted that Simon Harmer would look like Muttiah Muralitharan if a seventh left-hander is included in the XI.

"What can be the XI? A little left-hand, right-hand balance needs to be created because there used to be an era when you used to search for an odd left-hander. Now it's full of left-handers. If you bring another left-hander for Shubman Gill and play with the same team, you will have seven left-handers. Simon Harmer is bowling well and will become Muttiah Muralitharan," he said. (4:00)

While expectedly choosing Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as his two openers, Chopra opined that Sai Sudharsan should come into the XI as the No. 3 batter.

"My XI would be KL Rahul with Yashasvi Jaiswal as the two openers. I will bring Sai Sudharsan back at No. 3 because he did well in Delhi (against the West Indies). I know he is a left-hander, but I can't help it. Washington Sundar was also a left-hander," he observed.

The cricketer-turned-commentator urged India to play Nitish Kumar Reddy as a specialist batter at No. 6, with Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

"I will play Dhruv Jurel at No. 4. I will put a right-hander in the middle. After that, Rishabh Pant, the captain. Then I will play Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 6 purely as a batter. Till now, we don't know whether he is playing as a batter or a bowler, but I am looking at him as a pure batter. He has the aggressive game against spin as well," Chopra elaborated.

Nitish Kumar Reddy has scored 386 runs at an average of 29.69 in nine Tests. He has picked up eight wickets at an average of 39.62 in 13 Test innings.

---

"Jaddu at No. 7, Washi at No. 8, and Kuldeep Yadav at No. 9" - Aakash Chopra on his spin-bowling picks for IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Aakash Chopra left out Axar Patel from his preferred Indian XI for the second Test against South Africa. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra chose Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav as his three-pronged spin attack.

"Jaddu at No. 7, Washi at No. 8, and Kuldeep Yadav at No. 9. I know three left-handers have come together, but what can I do here? Even if I play Axar Patel, he is also a left-hander. Three left-handers are fine from Nos. 7 to 9, but before that, I have at least kept three right-handers with three left-handers," he said.

The analyst completed his XI by picking Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as his two specialist seamers.

"Then I will play my XI with Siraj and Bumrah. Nitish Kumar Reddy is not playing as an all-rounder, but as a batter. Devdutt Padikkal could have also come, but how many left-handers?" Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra's Indian XI for IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj